Renaissance Theaterworks 'Educates' Milwaukee

When you sit down to talk to Ali Carlucci, one thing is very clear, she is passionate about everything she does. I had the opportunity last week to talk to Ali about the Renaissance Theaterworks and their partnership with Dress for Success. While Milwaukee might not have its own chapter of Dress for Success, that doesn't stop Renaissance from making sure the worthy cause gets its time in the sun.

Renaissance has been teaming up with the Racine chapter of Dress for Success to gather clothing for women in need before their performances of "Educating Rita". Dress for Success takes donations of work clothes for women and then uses different personal stylists to help women in need have clothes to wear to interviews. Carlucci has found that " so many different things have to come together to be able to feel prepared to be in the workforce, professional attire really is important."

Tying Dress for Success in with "Educating Rita" seemed like a natural fit to the Renaissance Theater Works. The show follows Rita, a young hairdresser, and the relationship that she creates with Frank, her tutor. "The role of clothing really comes up a lot in the show. We saw this as a need and we knew of the YWCA and wanted to be able to help."

"Educating Rita" is telling a story and tying issues together that many Milwaukee citizens deal with on a day-to-day basis. Community service is important to Renaissance simply because art does tie people together and promote change. Every show they put on has some community service aspect. "I think that everything can be connected if you look close enough, any art form can bring people together, you just need to be able to tell a story." Hopefully, in the future, Renaissance Theaterworks will be able to bring even more groups together.

For more information about "Educating Rita", Renaissance Theaterworks and how you can get involved, please visit www. R-t-w.com

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